Linton park Wines Excelled During 2018

Linton Park Estate near Wellington in the Cape Winelands won numerous prestigious wine awards during 2018 with especially the estate’s Reserve Chardonnay stealing the limelight

Chardonnay sparkles at Michelangelo Awards

In the most competitive line-up yet in the 22 year-old history of the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards – attracting a record number of 2 255 wines and spirits entries – Linton Park walked away with not less than 4 gold awards, including one double and three gold awards.

The estate’s Chardonnays, having won various trophies at the highest level during the past three years, once again excelled with its 2016 The Bridge of Hope Chardonnay crowned with a double gold medal and its newly released maiden vintage 2017 Linton Park Reserve Wild Ferment Chardonnay with a gold medal.

The New Wild Ferment Chardonnay

A jubilant Herman le Roux, Linton Park’s Commercial Director, said the following about their new Chardonnay’s performance: “The Michelangelo gold medal for our first wild fermented Chardonnay set a new milestone for us from a viticultural point-of-view. Consequently, this new wine has been launched with a specially designed label paying tribute to Louis Fourie, the original 17th century French Huguenot founder and farm owner”, emphasised JG Auret. He added: “Wine lovers will be surprised by this Chardonnay’s ‘different’ yet surprisingly elegant style. However, with only a few cases left, you will have to visit the estate to buy some.”

Gold medals also for Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon

Le Roux added that the 2018 Michelangelo awards were a new landmark in the estate’s long-term programme and strategy to plant quality cultivars and craft exceptional wines:

“In addition to the outstanding performance of our Chardonnays, the gold medals for both our 2016 Linton Park Merlot and our 2015 The Bridge of Hope Cabernet Sauvignon validate our claim that our unique terroir and climatology against the lush Groenberg mountain are ideal for the high-quality production of a variety of sought-after noble cultivars that are in demand by wine consumers globally. Furthermore, I think that it proves the exceptional versatility of our wine-making team under the leadership of Chief Winemaker JG Auret, competing at the highest level. We are indeed proud of all of our staff with this well-rewarded team effort.”

More 2018 Awards

Linton Park received various other global awards during 2018, including the estate’s celebrated blend, De Slangerivier 2015, winning gold at the 2018 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. The estate also walked away with top honours at the Novare SA Terroir Awards for the ‘Best MCC’ produced in South Africa. At the Veritas Awards the 2016 Linton Park Merlot, the 2017 Linton Park Chardonnay and the 2017 Linton Park Malbec all received silver medals. Herman Le Roux concluded: “We indeed enjoyed a succesful 2018 year and we would like to thank all our clients, our suppliers, the media and all of our staff for their wonderful support!”